Elementary program sessions reflect the wide range of interests and needs of elementary teachers. Whether this is your first time or your 20th, a pre-service or veteran teacher, a researcher or a professor, there are sessions, speakers, and special events that will be of interest to you!

Finish up the evening with the Thursday General Session featuring singer and songwriter Natalie Merchant.

Friday

Are you a first time attendee? Then start the morning out at the First-Timer's Breakfast, "Mentoring Matters," from 7:00-8:00 a.m. sponsored by The Random House Foundation Inc. Teacher Award for Literacy. Get some tips on making the most of your convention experience, and find out who the award winners are.

Don't miss the Friday General Session featuring speaker Sir Ken Robinson, author, and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education, and arts bodies.

Join us for the Day of Whole Language, hosted by the Whole Language Umbrella (WLU), featuring sessions focused on whole langage theory and practice. The WLU also sponsors Workshop W.11, "Supporting Children's Search for Meaning: Children's Literature in Multi Modal Ways" on Monday.

Saturday

Plan to attend the Day of Early Childhood, hosted by the Early Childhood Education Assembly (ECEA). These sessions are specifically for educators of children in preschool and early elementary and are designated and devoted to issues of teaching, learning, and young children.

Meet your favorite author at the Books for Children Luncheon. The 2013 NCTE Poetry Award winner, Joyce Sidman will be honored as well as the winners of the 2013 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. This year’s luncheon speaker features award winning author Steve Jenkins.

Join the 2013 Orbis Pictus Award celebrations before and after the luncheon with a discussion of the winning nonfiction titles in Session G., and meet the authors of the winning nonfiction titles in Session K..